POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2493, 3 July 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(BY TBLKUKArH—OWN COIIIIKSPON'DENT.) Wellington', Monday. THE PREMIER'S THREAT-

There is considerable speculation as to the results of to-morrow's proceedings, in consequence of Sir Hurry Atkinson's dechuation that ho would test the feeling of the House, whether or not it wished him to retire from his position by placing the Estimates at the head of the Order Paper and insisting that some progress should be tnado with th«.m belorc any other business is pone on with. All sorts of opinions are hazarded as to the action the House will take on this occasion. Ministeis themselves expect that their proposi Is for going into committee of supply will be carried by a good majority, and this appears to be a pretty general opinion. The Freetraders will act unitedly, and will probably vote with the Government with the exception, perhaps, of Or. Newman, Messrs Scobie McKenzie, Menteath and McArthur, all of whom are now understood to be in strong opposition to the Ministry. It is also said Mr Scddon will strive to trip up the Govcrnnient in some way in which lie expects to get the support of several Protectionists, while it is further stated that the Premier is simply courting defeat by the course he has taken. Several of the Ministers were very angry at Friday night's proceedings. The fact is, however, that members on that occasion voted for a variety of reasons, one of which was, as it is evident, the whole sitting would be occupied by the voluble membjr for Kinnara assisted by one or two other members who contribute very freely to Hansard. It was considered by many members who have no desire, whatever, to give Ministers a "slap in the face" that nothing would be gained by going on with the estimates on Friday night, and with that idea they voted for the adjournment. THE NATIVE POLICY. I recently informed you that a meeting was to be held to consider the Native Bills introduced by the Government. The meeting was convened by Mr Ballanco for Saturday afternoon, the chair being taken by Mr Kelly, member for Tauranga. I understand the general opinion of those present was in the direction of individual titles, and giving natives the same rights of disposal of their lands as Europeans. It was considered, however, that the Bills should be amended, so as to give facilities for fixing hapus without more than 20 owners in one grant, and that the law should not go further than allowing the sale of sections comprising the area held by 20 persons. The meeting also thought that no person should be allowed to purchase more than 2000 acres of native land, so as to prevent a nio!i"poly. THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. It is staled that Mr Fulton, the member for Taiei'i, intends taking up this question during the session, by moving as follows : — " Whereas the enormous direct expenditure on intoxicating liquors in the colony, amounting annually to more than two millions sterling, contributes largely to the existing depression, adds materially to crime and poverty, and reduces the capital available for reproductive industries ; and whereas the people under the existing law are powerless to remove the principal cause of th u se evils, it is in the opinion of this House imperative that the Government should, without delay, introduce a Bill giving power to the people, by direct vote and the ballot-box periodically taken, to prohibit the sale of such liquor within the district in which they reside." RETRENCHMENT. A curious rumour has been afloat during the last day or two, namely, that the whole of the officers of the Public Works Department, anticipating their speedy dismissal, had sent in their resignations to the Government. It is needless to say there is no truth in the report, as even when the Public Works Department is abolished, which of course must be a matter of time, the officers will in many cases no doubt have other duties assigned to them by way of classifications and in other directions. .AIR LARNACH'S HOSPITALITY.

A dinner was given by Mr Larnach, late Minister for Minus, mi Saturday evening, t'i oO heads of Departments in thn Civil Service and proved a must enjoyable gathering. It is understood that one of the chief objects Mr Larnach had in view was to express his sympathy with tho Civil Service which is now experiencing tho cutting down process pretty severely. Mr Larnach left for the .South by the Tarawera this afternoon. He finally leaves for Melbourne to commence business thero after tho season.